Multicolor Double Face; Black 2020

Takashi Murakami made this print, Multicolor Double Face; Black, sometime after 1990. In it, a black cartoon face grins out from the center of a field of multicolored petals. Murakami emerged as a prominent figure in the Japanese art scene, with his concept of "Superflat" that critiqued the flattening of cultural values in postwar Japan. His work often merges traditional Japanese art with contemporary pop culture, blurring the lines between high and low art. He is interested in exploring themes of consumerism and globalization and the effects these have had on Japanese identity. The bright colors and simplified forms are reminiscent of anime and manga, reflecting the influence of popular culture on contemporary art. We can also see a commentary on the commercialization of art itself. The smiling face is cheerful, but perhaps also points to the superficiality of consumer culture. By researching the cultural context of postwar Japan and Murakami’s other works, we can better understand his art.